Rotary display stand



R. TINTARY ROTARY DISPLAY STAND Aug. 16,1966

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 14, 1964 INVENTOR.

AA YMO/VD 77A/7'ARY MAHOA/EY, HALBE'RT 6:

HORNBA KER A TTORNE Y5 Aug. 16, 1966 R. TlNTARY ROTARY DISPLAY STAND 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 14, 1964 INVENTOR.

MAHOA/EY, #445527 &

HOE/115A K52 Arroeusrs United States Patent 3,266,634 ROTARY DISPLAYSTAND Raymond Tintary, Covina, Calif, assignor to Ajax HardwareManufacturing Corp., City of Industry, Calif., a corporation ofCalifornia Filed Aug. 14, 1964, Ser. No. 389,547 2 Claims. (Cl. 211-131)This invention relates to a merchandise display stand and, moreparticularly, to a merchandise display stand which is intended to serveboth as a means for displaying merchandise and as a device formaintaining a relatively large stock of said merchandise in immediateproximity and accessibility to the display thereof.

' While the teachings of the invention will be disclosed as incorporatedin a display stand adapted to display and stock various types of smallarticles of hardware, such as drawer knobs, pulls, catches, hinges, andthe like, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that theteachings of the invention may be applied with equal cogency to variousother types of merchandise.

The problems of displaying and stocking relatively small articles ofhardware in retail establishments become more acute as the variety andnumber of such articles increases. Conventionally, such small articlesare displayed upon a display board or card and are either kept in stockin a cabinet or other relatively inaccessible place or must be baggedand hung from pins and pegs. In addition, the retail merchant iscontinually confronted with the diminishing space available for bothdisplay and inventory purposes, and there is a constant struggle on thepart of the supplier and his sales force to obtain adequate displayspace to permit potential customers to make a selection of hardware froman adequate display.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a merchandisedisplay stand which is characterized by the fact that, in a relativelysmall space, it will both display fiftysmall articles of hardware andstore in excess of thirteen hundred of such articles in immediatejuxtaposition to the samples on display.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a display stand ofthe aforementioned character which ini cludes a plurality of verticallyspaced containers which incorporate a large number of receptaclesadapted to receive and store small hardware articles such as knobs,pulls, catches and hinges, and which incorporates mounting means fordisplay samples in the perimeter thereof in immediate adjacency to thereceptacles so that supply of a display article is located immediatelyadjacent the displayed article, and a customer can serve himself fromsaid supply.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a displaystand of the aforementioned character which can be readily re-stocked bymerely depositing a supply of a desired part in the designatedreceptacle, the displayed element in juxtaposition to said receptacleproviding the indication of the type of article which should be locatedin the receptacle.

A further object of the invention is a display stand of theaforementioned character whose component parts can be readily suppliedin knock-down condition, so that they may be shipped in a relativelysmall package and assembled at the place where the display stand is tobe utilized.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a display stand ofthe aforementioned character which can be manufactured at a relativelylow cost, which is of relatively small overall size, and which can beassembled from the knock-down components with great facility.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a I display stand ofthe aforementioned character which includes a vertical supportingstandard having a plurality of supporting frames mounted thereupon invertically spaced ice relationship with each other, said supportingframes being adapted to receive and support containers which aredisposed in overlying relationship with said supporting frames, saidcontainers incorporating a plurality of receptacles which are adapted toreceive a variety of merchandise deposited therein.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of theconstruction, arrangement and combination of the various elements of thedevice whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter setforth, pointed out in the appended claims, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the device of the presentinvention, partially in cross section;

FIG. 2 is a view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, exploded, isometric view of a portion of thedevice of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, I show adisplay stand manufactured in accordance with the teachings of theinvention and including a base 10. Secured to the base 10 is avertically oriented collar 12 adapted to receive the lower extremity ofa vertically oriented support or standard 14. The lower extremity of thestandard 14 incorporates a reduced portion having a radially protrudingspur 16 which is received in a bayonet slot 18 formed in the collar 12.

To facilitate the fabrication and shipment of the standard 14, it isprovided in a plurality of sections 20, FIG. 5, each of which isprovided with a reduced lower extremity adapted to fit within thecontiguous upper extremity of the section disposed therebelow.

The standard 14 is transversely drilled at spaced intervals to provideopenings or apertures 22 for the reception of cotter pins 24 whoseprotruding heads and extremities serve as locating and supporting meansfor washers 26 mounted in encompassing relationship with the standard14, as best shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. A plurality of wire frames30, as best shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, is disposed in spacedrelationship upon the standard 14. Each frame 30 incorporates acentrally located upper annulus or ring 32 and a coincidentally locatedlower annulus or ring 34.

A plurality of radially extending wire locating and supporting arms 36have their inner extremities secured to the perimeter of the upperannulus 32. Any number of wire locating arms 36 may be utilized but, inthe present embodiment of the invention, ten arms 36 are provided beingequidistantly spaced from each other about the perimeter of the annulus32. The outer extremities of the arms 36 are secured to a polygonallyshaped wire frame element 38 in the shape of a decagon, said outerextremities intersecting the angles of said frame element.

Operatively connected at their inner extremities to the perimeter of thelower annulus 34 are radially and upwardly extending wire braces 40. Inthe present embodiment of the invention, five braces 40 are providedequidistantly spaced about the perimeter of the annulus 34. At theirupper extremities, the braces 40 are secured to the frame element 38 andintersect alternate angles thereof.

A plurality of polygonal containers 54 in the shape of decagons aremounted upon the standard 14 in spaced relationship with one another.Each of the polygonal containers 54 includes a centrally located fiatportion 50 incorporating a centrally located aperture for the receptionof the contiguous portion of the standard 14.

The polygonal containers 54 are preferably formed from synthetic plasticmaterial, such as polyethylene, and are fabricated by the vacuum formingprocess in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. There- 3fore, each of the containers 54 is relatively light in weight and can befabricated as a unitary structure.

Incorporated in each of the containers 54 is a plurality of receptacles56 which are provided with rear walls 52 and side walls 58, said sidewalls being constituted by downwardly opening, hollow ribs which areadapted, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings, to receive thelocating and supporting arms 36 and the wire braces 40. Therefore, thecontainers 54 are located and supported upon the standard 14 by the wireframe members 30 associated therewith and the arms 36 and braces 40serve to support the containers 54 at uniformly spaced intervals aboutthe circumference thereof.

The perimetrical surface 60 of each of the containers 54 is angularlyand outwardly inclined from the top to the bottom thereof and aplurality of recesses 62 is formed therein, each of said receptacles 56having a corresponding recess 62 associated therewith. At the oppositeextremities of the recesses 62 are provided angularly inclined surfaces64 which serve to support mounting plates 66 secured in operativerelationship therewith by means of screws 68.

In a typical utilization of the display stand 60, the receptacles 56 arefilled with draw pulls and knobs of different design configurations andfinishes and the mounting plates 66 are provided with centrally locatedopenings adapted to facilitate the securement thereto of a knob or pull,such as the knob 70 illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 of the drawings. Inaddition, the mounting plates 66 can be provided in various colors andfinishes to permit the simulation of the actual surfaces with which theknobs or pulls will be associated and, thus, facilitate the selection ofa proper color combination or provide a suggestion as to a desirablecolor combination or surface finish with which the knobs or pulls can beassociated.

Therefore, a relatively large inventory of knobs and pulls can be storedin the receptacles 56 and a person making a selection from. the displaystand of the invention is guided by the knobs and pulls mounted on themounting plates 66 on the perimetrical surfaces of the containers 54.The recesses 62 incorporate rear walls 72 which, as best shown in FIG. 4of the drawings, serve,

. in the display stand of the invention.

Secured in encompassing relationship with the upper extremity of thestandard 14 is a display card holder 90 constituted by upper and lowerrings 92 and 94 encompassing the perimeter of the upper extremity of thestandard 14. Wire arms 96 are mounted on the rings 92 and 94 and extendradially outwardly therefrom. Supported upon the outer extremities ofthe wire arms 96 are slightly inclined tracks 97 which are adapted toreceive display cards 98.

To facilitate the shipment of the display stand of the invention it isshipped in knocked-down condition, that is, the various sections 20 ofthe standard 14 are dismounted from operative relationship with eachother and the containers 54 are nested in conjunction with the wireframes 30 to facilitate the shipment of the display stand in arelatively compact condition.

In order to assemble the display stand, the lower extremity of one ofthe standard sections is secured to the collar 12 mounted on the baseand additional sections 20 of the standard are successively disposed insuperimposed relationship with one another.

After the assembly of the standard 14 has been accomplished in theabove-described manner, the lowermost of the containers 54 is mounted inoperative relationship with the standard 14 by first inserting a cotterpin 24 transversely through the associated openings 22 in the lowerportion of the standard and then placing a washer 26 in overlyingrelationship with the cotter pin 24. A wire frame 30 is then disposed inencompassing relationship with the standard with the lower ring orannulus 34 resting upon the washer 26 and a container 54 is thendeposited in overlying relationship with the wire frame 30.

To accomplish the mechanical interlocking of the frame 30 in operativerelationship with the associated container 54, the arms 36 and braces 40are located in the ribs providing the side walls 58 of the receptacles56 and the polygonal wire frame element 38 is located in the spacedefined between the rear walls 72 of the recesses 62 and the front wallsof the receptacles 56, as best shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 of thedrawings. Therefore, the ribs defining the side walls 58 of the recesses56 are interlocked against rotation relative to the wire frame 30 by thelocation of the arms 36 and braces 40 in said ribs and, thus, thecontainers 54 are rotatable about the standard 14 upon the frames 30.

If desired, the mounting plates 66 may be secured in operativerelationship with the supporting surfaces 64 and the recesses 62 priorto the positioning of the containers 54 in operative relationship withthe standard 14. If desired, the securement of the mounting plates 66 inoperative relationship with the associated recesses 62 may be delayeduntil the containers 54 are mounted in operative relationship with thestandard 14.

In any event, the knobs 70, pulls, or other merchandise to be displayedupon the mounting plates 66 are secured thereto by means of screws orsimilar fasteners inserted from the backs of the mounting plates 66prior to the affixation of said mounting plates in operativerelationship with the inclined surfaces 64 by the aflixing screws 68.

The additional containers 54 are then secured seriatim in encompassingrelationship with the perimeter of the standard 14 in the same manner asthe lowermost container 54. After the uppermost container 54 has beenmounted in operative relationship with the standard 14, the literatureholder is disposed in encompassing relationship with the standard '14and lowered thereupon until its lower extremity impinges upon the uppersurface of the centrally located portion 50 of the uppermost container54.

A cotter pin 24 is then inserted in corresponding openings or apertures22 in the upper ex-temity of the standard 14 and a washer 26 is mountedin encompassing relationship with said upper extremity and permitted -torest upon the cotter pin 24. The show card holder is then lowered intooperative relationship with the washer 26 and show cards 98 are insertedinto the angularly inclined tracks 97, literature being placed in theliterature holder 80.

Merchandise is then placed in the receptacles 56 corresponding to themerchandise displayed on the mounting plates 66 at the forwardextremities of the receptacles in overlying relationship with theassociated recesses 62. Therefore, the necessity for the conventionalstorage of bulk mechandise in boxes or the display thereof upon pegboards or similar conventional devices is eliminated and it is possibleto display and store a large number of similar articles in the displaystand of the invention without the necessity for the excessive handlingthereof which is characteristic of conventional display and storageprocedures.

In addition, a prospective purchaser can rotate the various containers54 to success-fully cause all of the items displayed upon the mountingplates 66 to be brought progressively into view without altering hisposition and, thus, it is possible for a relatively large number ofprospective customers to be served from the same display stand in aself-service manner at the same time with consequent reduction in thecost of merchandising and inventorying the products disposed in thedisplay stand.

I claim:

1. In a rotatable display stand, the combination of: a verticalstandard; a plurality of rotatable wire frame members mounted on saidstandard in operative and rotatable relationship therewith, each of saidwire frame members including a plurality of radially extending 1ocatingand supporting arms having their inner extremities secured to a commonannulus and their outer extremities secured to a common peripheral frameelement; a plurality of open container elements, one of each of which ismounted in overlying relationship with an associated frame member, eachof said container elements including a plurality of radially disposedopen receptacles adapted to receive merchandise and having acorresponding recess in its perimeter adjacent an associated receptaclefor the reception of a sample of the merchandise located in saidassociated receptacle, each of said container elements includingradially oriented side walls defined by downwardly opening, radiallyoriented ribs for the reception of said locating and supporting arms,said arms preventing relative rotation between an associated framememher and said container element; and a mounting panel in each of saidrecesses for supporting said merchandise at the front of an associatedreceptacle.

2. In a rotatable display stand, the combination of: a verticalstandard; a plurality of rotatable frame members mounted on saidstandard in operative and rotatable relationship therewith, each of saidframe members including a centrally located annulus and a plurality ofradially extending wire locating and supporting arms having their innerextremities secured to the perimeter of said annulus and their outerextremities secured to a perimetrical frame element; a unitary, opencontainer element mounted in operative relationship with each of saidframe members, said container element including a plurality of radiallydisposed open receptacles adapted to receive merchandise and having acorresponding recess in its perimeter adjacent an associated receptaclefor the reception of a sample of the merchandise located in saidassociated receptacle, said receptacles being defined by side wallsconstituted by inverted ribs which are downwardly opening for thereception of said locating and supporting arms; and a mounting panel ineach of said recesses for supporting said merchandise at the front of anassociated receptacle.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 510,744 12/1893Warren 21756 1,156,644 10/1915 Vetter 20644.11 1,274,843 8/1918Bekkering 27010 2,071,290 2/1937 Scriba 21 158 2,527,132 10/1950 Jacksonet al. 248131 2,599,802 6/ 1952 Yzett'a 211131 2,678,253 5/1954Rosenberg 312---285 2,738,075 3/1956 Guignard et al. 211-56 2,762,513 9/1956 Zaninovich 108--20 3,164,259 9/1965 DeCaccia 211131 CLAUDE A. LEROY, Primary Examiner.

I. F. FOSS, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN A ROTATABLE DISPLAY STAND THE COMBINATION OF: A VERTICAL STANDARD;A PLURALITY OF ROTATABLE WIRE FRAME MEMBERS MOUNTED ON SAID STANDARD INOPERATIVE AND ROTATABLE RELATIONSHIP THEREWITH, EACH OF SAID WIRE FRAMEMEMBERS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF RADIALLY EXTENDING LOCATING ANDSUPPORTING ARMS HAVING THEIR INNER EXTREMITIES SECURED TO A COMMONANNULUS AND THEIR OUTER EXTREMITIES SECURED TO A COMMON PERIPHERAL FRAMEELEMENT; A PLURALITY OF OPEN CONTAINER ELEMENTS, ONE OF EACH OF WHICH ISMOUNTED IN OVERLYING RELATIONSHIP WITH AN ASSOCIATED FRAME MEMBER, EACHOF SAID CONTAINER ELEMENTS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF RADIALLY DISPOSEDOPEN RECEPTACLES ADAPTED TO RECEIVE MERCHANDISE AND HAVING ACORRESPONDING RECESS IN ITS PERIMETER ADJACENT AN ASSOCIATED RECEPTACLEFOR THE RECEPTION OF A SAMPLE OF THE MERCHANDISE LOCATED IN SAIDASSOCIATED RECEPTACLE, EACH OF SAID CONTAINER ELEMENTS INCLUDINGRADIALLY ORIENTED SIDE WALLS DEFINED BY DOWNWARDLY OPENING, RADIALLYORIENTED RIBS FOR THE RECEPTION OF SAID LOCATING AND SUPPORTING ARMS,SAID ARMS PREVENTING RELATIVE ROTATION BETWEEN AN ASSOCIATED FRAMEMEMBER AND SAID CONTAINER ELEMENT; AND A MOUNTING PANEL IN EACH OF SAIDRECESSES FOR SUPPORTING SAID MERCHANDISE AT THE FRONT OF AN ASSOCIATEDRECEPTACLE.